Circus in a Box

Journeying On,

Thankful Thursday

for our March Madness mimicker

for a heart that loves learning

for protective friends

for wild and crazy play

for bright light of joy in among the darkness

Journeying On,

Thankful Thursday

 for shoes that sparkle 

for days to play football outside

for this surprise face

for fort picnics

for super fast slides

Journeying On,

Tag

In case you need to know how to play tag...

Journeying On,

Thankful Thursday

for things that smell good....

especially when everyone needs a diaper change about the same time

for this girly drama....who thought I would ever say that?:)

for new hair styles

for snuggle buddies

for chances to make snow footprints

Journeying On,

Biopsy Results

About a week ago, Ethan had some minor outpatient surgery and another bone marrow biopsy to see how things are looking.  The surgery and biopsy went great and this little man was a trooper! He was even asking for more 'happy juice' while in recovery:)

The purpose of the biopsy was to see if there were any leukemia cells in the bone marrow and to see what percentage of the cells in his bone marrow are currently being affected by the MDS/Monosomy 7.  By far, the most significant praise is that there is no leukemia!!

I won't pretend to understand all of the medical jargon associated with the tests they run on the bone marrow to come up with these percentages, so it's rather possible that I won't make much sense:) But basically the labs found his bone marrow to have fewer cells than normal bone marrow should have.  They also confirmed that he does still have the Monsomy 7.   Our doctor believes that, although the percentage of cells with Monsomy 7 may have increased from his last biopsy, that we are still about the same place we were because his monthly blood tests are looking acceptable now after a drop in January-about the time our prayer warriors kicked it up a notch:)

The bottom line is that we can check and recheck numbers, labs and percentages all we want, but it doesn't change the fact that we are still experiencing an incredible and gracious miracle from our Father.  A season of healing that is a medical mystery, but no mystery at all to our Sovereign God.  And so, "I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us-yes, the many good things he has done according to his compassion and many kindnesses." (Isaiah 63:7)

With much gratitude...

Journeying On,

Thankful Thursday

for cards sent with love

for small treats that bring such delight

that this guy even sucked on his for a few minutes....

we will overcome this crazy oral aversion

 for independent dresser and self proclaimed backwards day 

that I can get away with matching jams for a few more years:)

Journeying On,

Chocolate

Since we've graduated (by that I mean kicked out when they turned three) from the early intervention services provided in Tennessee, we haven't had feeding therapy in a couple of months.  Thankfully our amazing feeding therapist agreed to still come once a month and this week is the first time since November; and we were glad to see her.  She really helps, especially Ethan, be accepting of new foods.  Even if they don't make it in his mouth, at least he's touching them....and they both did a little more than just eating and touching food this week....

Off to the bathtub...

Journeying On,

Thankful Thursday

that we were well prepared for icy roads

that daddy's arms bring much comfort

that art project messes can be made outside sometimes

for junk mail that makes this kid's day

for sidewalk chalk

Journeying On,

Blood Work

Background:
Two weeks ago we took Ethan in for his routine blood work and his counts were on the low side.  The doctor said he could still be recovering from the flu/pneumonia he had in early January, but also said it could be his mds/monosomy 7 coming back.  He wanted to do labs again in a couple of weeks to give his body a chance to get rid of any virus.  Our hearts were very heavy that day and the few to follow.  It seemed like this looming diagnosis was finally coming back and the fight against fear seemed more like an all out war than a battle.  But our God is faithful to bring so much peace in times of war, and not surprisingly he filled our hearts with great peace and confidence in His perfect plan for Ethan.  After all, we didn't know for sure that it was his mds/monosomy 7, we were praying it was viral and trusting God to reveal His plan in His timing. 

The following Saturday Ethan was running a high fever, with no other symptoms so we took him to our primary care's walk-in clinic. They did some blood work and his numbers actually looked very viral and even better counts than just a few days before.  Our viral suspicions were confirmed when I had a fever the next day....I've never been so thankful to have a virus:)  

Yesterday we returned to the hematology/oncology clinic to repeat the labs.  His numbers were about the same as they were at our primary, which we took as encouraging.  They are still below normal, but not dropping which is fantastic!  Ethan could still be fighting a virus, but our doctor (and we) would like to know how his bone marrow is looking.  It's been almost a year since his last bone marrow biopsy, so it's time to repeat it anyway.  

Ethan also needs to have orchiopexy surgery sometime this month, so our doctors were able to work their schedules together so we only have to put him to sleep once.  He's scheduled to have the biopsy and surgery on the 15th.  Then we'll wait several days for the biopsy results to come back.  

Rejoicing over the immense amount of healing the Lord has brought to bodies and souls these last few weeks.  We're so thankful for all of you who were praying for a virus with us:) 

Journeying On,